Russell Wilson hit a milestone in Week 11. It was 25th start with the Broncos, giving him the most number of starts at quarterback for the franchise since Peyton Manning retired, surpassing former Denver seventh-round draft pick Trevor Siemian.
But after Week 16, Wilson was benched. Jarrett Stidham will make his first start on Sunday against the Chargers.
From Siemian to Stidham, here’s a look at who they are, how they fared in the role and where they are today.
Trevor Siemian
How he landed with the Broncos: Siemian was selected in the seventh round (250th pick overall) by the Broncos in 2015.
How he fared in Denver: Siemian played 25 games, making 24 starts for the Broncos, leading them to a 13-11 record. He completed 59.3% of his passes for 5,686 yards, 30 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. He was traded to the Vikings along with a 2018 seventh-round pick following the 2017 season for a 2019 fifth-round pick. The fifth-round pick would be used to select linebacker Justin Hollins.
Where is he now: The 31-year-old quarterback started for the Jets in Week 17 due to Zach Wilson’s injury.
Paxton Lynch
How he landed with the Broncos: The Memphis standout was selected by the Broncos in the first round (26th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft. “He was the guy,” general manager John Elway said after selecting Lynch. “And we’re thrilled to have him.”
How he fared in Denver: Lynch didn’t live up to his first-round hype in Denver, playing just five games (starting four) in his two seasons with the Broncos. He had a 1-3 record while completing 61.7% of his passes for 792 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. He was cut prior to the start of the 2018 season.
Where is he now: Lynch, 29, last played professionally with the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL after the Orlando Guardians waived him on April 5 following an 0-5 start.
Brock Osweiler
How he landed with the Broncos: Osweiler was originally selected by Denver in the second round (57th overall) of the 2012 NFL draft. Following the Super Bowl 50 win, he signed a four-year, $72 million deal with the Houston Texans. He was traded a year later to Cleveland but was released prior to the start of the 2018 season. Shortly after, he re-signed with Denver after Lynch suffered a shoulder injury.
How he fared in Denver: His second stint with the Broncos wasn’t as memorable as his first. He played in six games (starting four) and finished with a 0-4 record in his starts. He finished the year completing 55.8% of his passes for 1,088 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions.
Where is he now: Osweiler, 32, is retired and watching a lot of football.
Case Keenum
How he landed with the Broncos: Keenum signed a two-year, $36 million deal with Denver prior to the start of the 2018 season.
How he fared in Denver: Keenum became the first starting quarterback to start every game in a season since Peyton Manning’s 2014 season. He opened strong, leading Denver to a 2-0 start, but the team finished the season 6-10. Keenum completed 62.3% of his passes for 3,890 yards, 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He was traded along with a seventh-round pick to Washington for a sixth-round pick following the end of the season.
Where is he now: The 35-year-old Keenum re-signed with the Texans — his first team in the NFL — prior to the 2023 season. He is the No. 3 quarterback behind starter C.J. Stroud and backup Davis Mills. He started in Weeks 15 and 16 for Houston.
Joe Flacco
How he landed with the Broncos: The former Super Bowl MVP was traded to Denver in February 2019 for a fourth-round draft pick.
How he fared in Denver: Flacco started eight games before the Broncos placed him on injured reserve for a herniated disc in his neck. Denver went 2-6 in his starts where he completed 65.3% of his passes for 1,822 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions.
Where is he now: Flacco, 38, is Browns’ No. 1 starter following Deshaun Watson’s season-ending injury.
Brandon Allen
How he landed with the Broncos: Allen was claimed off waivers from the Rams prior to the start of the 2019 season.
How he fared in Denver: He started in three games for the Broncos after Flacco suffered a season-ending injury in Week 9 of the 2019 season. He won his first game and lost the other two, completing 46.4% of his passes for 515 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Where is he now: The 31-year-old Allen signed with the 49ers prior to the start of the 2023 season. He is the No. 3 quarterback behind starter Brock Purdy and backup Sam Darnold.
Drew Lock
How he landed with the Broncos: Lock was selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2019 NFL draft out of Missouri.
How he fared in Denver: Lock made his first start during his rookie season in Week 13. In his five starts, he helped the Broncos to a 4-1 record to close out the season. He started 13 games in 2020 and three in 2021. He finished his time in Denver with an 8-13 record, 59.3% completion percentage, 4,740 yards, 25 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.
Where is he now: Lock, 27, is the backup to starter Geno Smith.
Jeff Driskel
How he landed with the Broncos: Driskel signed with Denver as a free agent prior to the 2020 season.
How he fared in Denver: Driskel made his first appearance in Week 2 of the 2020 season after Drew Lock suffered a shoulder injury early in the game against the Steelers. He started in Week 3 in a losing effort to the Buccaneers but was pulled in the fourth quarter. In three appearances (one start), he completed 54.7% of his passes for 432 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Where is he now: The 30-year-old Driskel is on the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad.
Brett Rypien
How he landed with the Broncos: Rypien came to the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2019.
How he fared in Denver: He came on in relief of Jeff Driskel in Week 3 of the 2020 season during Denver’s loss to Tampa Bay. He earned the start in Week 4, leading the Broncos to a 37-28 road win against the Jets. He also had four appearances (two starts) in 2022, coming in for an injured Russell Wilson. In eight games (three starts) in Denver, he completed 61.5% of his passes for 778 yards, four touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Where is he now: Rypien, 27, signed with the Rams prior to the start of the 2023 season. After two appearances, including one start, he was waived. Seattle signed him to its practice squad.
Kendall Hinton
How he landed with the Broncos: Hinton signed as an undrafted free agent in April 2020. He was waived prior to the start of the season, but signed to the practice squad that November.
How he fared in Denver: Hinton was a quarterback at Wake Forest but projected to be a receiver in the NFL. He became the Broncos’ emergency starter in Week 12 of the 2020 season after all four of Denver’s quarterbacks were ruled ineligible to play due to COVID-19 protocol. He completed 1 of 9 passes for 13 yards and two interceptions in a 31-3 loss to the Saints.
Where is he now: After emerging as a depth receiver for the Broncos from 2021-22 (39 catches for 486 yards and a touchdown), he was waived during training camp in August 2023. He is currently a free agent.
Teddy Bridgewater
How he landed with the Broncos: Denver traded a 2021 sixth-round pick to the Panthers to acquire Bridgewater in April.
How he fared in Denver: The journeyman quarterback emerged as the team’s starter after beating out incumbent Drew Lock in the preseason. The Broncos’ record was 7-6 through his 13 starts. He has completed 66.9% of his passes for 3,052 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Where is he now: The 31-year-old quarterback signed with the Lions prior to the start of the 2023 season. He is the backup to starter Jared Goff.
Russell Wilson
How he landed with the Broncos: In one of the biggest trades in Denver sports history, the Broncos traded for Wilson and a fourth-round draft pick in exchange for quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a fifth-round pick.
How he fared in Denver: Wilson, 34, has been the most stable starter for the Broncos since Peyton Manning retired. As of Nov. 20, 2023, he has started 25 games for Denver, completing 63.7% of his passes for 5,589 yards, 35 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. The Broncos have compiled a 9-16 record during that span. In addition, he and his wife, Ciara, have bought a $25 million mansion in Cherry Hills Village and opened The House of LR&C, a clothing boutique.
Where is he now: He was Denver’s starting quarterback through Week 16. He was benched prior to the Broncos’ Week 17 game against the Chargers and is listed as the No. 2 quarterback behind Jarrett Stidham.
Jarrett Stidham
How he landed with the Broncos: Stidham signed a two-year, $10 million contract with Denver in March.
How he fared in Denver: Stidham, 27, will make his first start in NFL Week 17 against the Chargers.
Where is he now: He is Denver’s starting quarterback.
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